This week, we’ve been busy trying to finish up tax season before the October 17th deadline. It’s odd that people we’ve been working with for a decade or two have suddenly forgotten the fundamental things needed to complete their own tax returns. Things they have been gathering year-after-year…they just don’t remember. Are we getting older? Or are we experiencing, as my husband seems to feel, a perpetual fool moon?

Tonight is Yom Kippur. The holiest day of the Jewish faith. In one of the discussion places on Facebook, someone found an article about intense hatred being spewed by a radio talk show host because his city passed an ordinance asking neighbors not to run noisy machines on these holy days. The talk show host nearly incited a riot, encouraging his listeners to drive into the area and be noisy and hostile. What the talk show neglected to note was that the very same ordinances are in effect for Christmas and other non-Jewish days. The ordinances were all about common courtesy and consideration – not about preferential treatment for one group over another.

Later this month, Diwali will mark the Hindu New Year– another beautiful celebration. One of my students is going to write up something for us about the holiday (I hope). All people have special, wonderful traditions. It’s so important to honor, respect and preserve the beauty of our differences. It’s equally important to teach these traditions to subsequent generations so the beauty lives on.

In IRS News last week, we showed the IRS is offering a voluntary compliance program for employers who have been treating their employees as freelancers. This week’s TaxWatch article at MarketWatch.com explains the program and discusses your options if you participate – and if you don’t.

In IRS News this week, we look at some special provisions for surviving spouses that were included in last year’s final tax act. It would be even more interesting if we were given notice a little earlier…but…TaxMama has a suggestion in case it affects you and you missed out on being able to take advantage of the opportunity. No guarantees it will work. But it never hurts to ask!

In today’s Money Funnies & Inspiration, we look back in history.Are you familiar with the old French adage, “Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose” (the more things change, the more they are exactly the same)? That’s exactly what this week’s Money Funnies reflects.

A Week of TaxMama’s TaxQuips

Double-Dip IRA Today TaxMama hears from Mike in the Tax Quips Forum, who is unclear on the concept. “My 7 month certificate of deposit (in an IRA) will expire in November 2011. I used this money as a tax deduction for 2010. If I re-invest in another 7 month CD, at the same bank, can I use this […] Read the full article →

Loss on Leasehold Interest Today TaxMama hears from Gordon in the Tax Quips Forum, who wants fairness. “In 1996 I purchased a leasehold interest in a lot in a recreational vehicle park. The lot is on leased land owned by someone else. Since there was actually no real property I assumed I would not have to pay capital gains […] Read the full article →

Homebuyer Credit Nightmare Today TaxMama hears from Jewelz in the Tax Quips Forum, in distress. “I purchased my primary residence in October of 2009. My roommate moved out in April 2011. That led me to turn home into a rental due to not being able to make mortgage payments. I am barely breaking even, so there is […] Read the full article →

Employee Stock Purchase Plan Today TaxMama hears from Rick in the Tax Quips Forum with set of questions. “I have a tax question about my company stock purchase plan. I elected to contribute ($5,000) to the plan last year and it runs from Oct 1, 2010 till Oct 1, 2011. The benefit of the plan is that I receive […] Read the full article →

TaxMama has an 8-hour course designed to help you pass this exam if you feel you need one. However, I advise you to take the exam without paying for any course at all, first.Then, if you still have trouble – come to me! I am customizing key parts of the EA Exam Part 1 course, just for you! Price will be only $99. The live, online course will run two hours per morning, from Nov 1 – Nov 4. It will be recorded, so you can learn it as a self-study course, as well. Reserve your spot NOW! ]